The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-09-24

she would worry me with her atten>
tons"
Presently he said:
"S.t down, Mary. You have done
enough. l wan, to talk with you both.
| have something to tell you, and do
not know whether you will hate me or
moi when you hear it,"
"Hate you, Uncle joe" exclaimed
Mary with an expression ofpain. "1ou
don't mean it; you know you DON'T
ssWhat is il so dreadful as to have
that effect, Unc.e:' asked Belle, ap-
pearlng a little uneasy in spite of her
effort to seem urconcerned.
"I have made my will this morn
ing," he said.
interest upon the subject than she in
tended. 81 hope there is no necessity
for any such measure as that-at least
soon," she continued, looking vacantiy
at picture upon the wall.
"No hypocritical talk, Belize" said
Uncle Joe bluntly. ':Do you not see
these sunken eyes and hollow cheeks :?
You know l cannot live long"
son, Uncle Joe, don't talk that
way" said Mary quickly.
s.D0n't say too much," interrupted
the old man, "till you hear what have
done. You will change the tunes
then"
tLet US hear it, and see if we will
hate you," said Mary.
"Weii, listen attentively. You know
/ have learned how to sympathize
with those afflicted as I am. Now
what is more natural than that l
should wish to do something for the
relief of my fellow-sufierers, tho most
of whom have poverty TO contend
with ?''
''CeItainly, Uncle Joe, that is right"
exclaimed Mary. 'I am so glad you
think of the unfortunate. You are so
good, generous, and noble"
"Wait till you hear what l have
DONE" said Uncle Joe. II made my
win, and directed that on certain con-
di,ions, my funds be applied TO the
erection and support of hospital.
Now what do you and Belle say? You
can carcely believe it? Open my desk,
M larry, and give me the will, and l will
let you read it."
Mary obeyed, and Uncle Joe folded
the paper so that she read only the por-
tion relating to the hospital.
"Now, you see it is true. Put it
back in that pigeon hole, and there it
Will stey till L am dead. What have
you got to say? Both of you must
have expected that would leave you
my property"
"You accuse me wroDglully, Uncle
joe" said Mary, speaking as though
she felt mortified at this charge. elf l
know my own heart have never had
any such expectation. l knew l had
no claims upon your generosity. You
have already done more for me than 1
deserved, and 1 thank you heartily for
it. + would much prefer that you
should assist the afflicted. If you had
given me your property | should have
disposed of it in that or Il similar way
any how"
s'But how will you make a living ="
he asked.
"Oh, l can teach school, Uncle,
thanks TO you for my education. You
need have no fears for me.'
"Thcn you are provided for,' said
Uncle Joe. "Now what does Belle
say?" turning his face toward her.
OF course, our reader who remembers
the provisions of the will, knows that
Uncle Joe's settlement was but partly
true. But this was little a1tsc for
testing the dispositions of tie two girls.
Belle was as,ounded at the revelation
just made, and she turned pale and
somewhat sick. She lost self-control,
aud tremblcd with veXatiOn and bitter
disappoiBtment. She had all along re-
t,orJnI herself nS her uncIp'S heir and
IT had never occurred TO her that any
'ot her disposition could be made OF the
property. What was her amaZement
then to hear this startling, distressing
news, which she believed too. She felt
that such a misrepresentation Of her
uDcIc's fortune was a perfect outrage
upon herself. For the world, ii seemed,
that she could not suppress feelings OF
Indignation and rebellion at this fla
grant injustice.
"Why, Uncle joe" she exclaimed
with moiStened eyes, sis ii possible
that you care nothing for your rela-
tivos? What do you expect me, mama
and Mary 20 do? We have not been
used to labor. fear we shall suffer for
the ncccssarics Of life"
"NIary has no fears" said the old
man. s'You have a good education
too. Why can you not support your
SELL Think Of the hundreds of poor,
helpless creatures like | am, who have
no means OF support either. They
surely need help more than you do"
Given if they do, Uncle, what arc
they to you? They have no claim:
upon you whatever. DO you intend tC